New York’s J-Town
Drawn to Sunset Park’s plethora of furniture/design options, I recently spent a winter day at Sunset Park’s Industry City. Most intriguing to me was Japan Village. The closest thing to any sort of Japantown located within the boroughs. Which made me question, where is any sort of historic Japantown in NYC?
Most would point to St Marks. And I wouldn’t disagree. However, there is a curiously large amount of Japanese dining to be found in Midtown East. Old school places with soul. Bright and shiny newcomers slinging $$$$ omakase. Mostly serving overseas business people and UN badge holders.
Here are some of my notes on great Japanese neighborhood spots in Midtown East.
Tomi Jazz
This dim dugout dazzles with a nightly program of jazz performances. But be warned: you are really here to eat and drink. This Izakaya offers Westernized Japanese food and izakaya classics. Dishes like crab cream croquettes and cod roe spaghetti should land on your table. Might as well keep the Whiskey/Whisky flowing. Definitely a cozy spot to suggest for a date, friends from out of town or that train lover who will be mesmerized by the floating railroad circulating above the stage. Oh and they have a killer melon cream soda.
Katsu Hama
Katsu Hama anchors a stretch of 5th Avenue otherwise completely void of decent dining options. If you’re ever in need of a nourishing katsu experience after perusing the diamond district or exploring Rock Center, head here. Katsu Hama delivers incredibly light tempura laden cuts of Berkshire Pork. Grab your katsu as part of a curry set and settle in to eavesdrop on Midtown Business buzz. Killer lunch specials abound.
Izakaya Toribar
Follow the stairs down for incredible skewers and saucy okonomiyaki topped with dancing fish flakes. Izakaya Toribar lures you in with an incredible list of frosty beer and even frostier sakes. The real damage to the check will be the rounds of chicken gizzard skewers landing on your table. This is exactly where you need go if you want to blow off some steam after a raucous day at the office.
Kaoru
With a simple menu and beautiful wooden bar, Kaoru feels distilled in time. Order a couple of rolls and a Chirashi bowl. Within seconds, servers deliver a straightforward umami laden miso soup. Followed promptly by your meal. Kaoru cuts some of the best fish in town for a fantastic price. And they do so without pretense. This is a great alternative to some of the spendier Omakase options that anchor Midtown East.